Argus Data Shows Bizav Flight Activity Continues Climb

Data released yesterday by aviation specialized services firm Argus indicates that business aircraft flight activity last month increased 5.3 percent from year-ago levels. However, January numbers were down slightly–2.8 percent–from December, and the year-over-year increase fell short of analysts’ predictions of double-digit flight activity gains during the first half of this year. By aircraft type, turboprops led the improvement at 8 percent versus activity a year ago; large-cabin jets were up 6.5 percent, midsize jet activity rose 4.9 percent and light jets climbed 2.1 percent. By type of operation, Part 91 flying led the pack with an 8.6-percent increase, while Part 135 charter operators were up 2.8 percent and fractional flying was down marginally by 0.8 percent versus a year ago. Looking at both operator and type together, data was mixed. For example, large-cabin jet activity soared by double digits for Part 91 and fractional operators, but charter usage in that jet category fell by 8.1 percent. Likewise, fractional light jet activity dived 13.8 percent, while Part 91 and 135 operators experienced single-digit gains for the type. Argus’s TraqPak data “is serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S.”